Larry Sanders gets first look with USA Basketball

Posted by
Inside Hoops

Jul
23

Larry Sanders put on his No. 43 USA practice jersey and went to work Monday.

The Bucks center, who admitted he never dreamed of having such an opportunity, was part of a group of eight young big men being evaluated by U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski and the rest of his staff. A four-day USA Basketball national team minicamp opened Monday at Mendenhall Center on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus.

“It was an exciting first day,” Sanders said. “A little jittery, a little jumpy, extra active. But my motor was going so it was good.”

The camp brought together 26 NBA players and two top collegians - Oklahoma State’s Marcus Smart and Creighton’s Doug McDermott - in the opening step of preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Spain and the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

“The goal is just to perform as best I can and let them worry about the rest,” Sanders said. “They’re waiting for that new wave to come through. It was a good experience, a good start.”